For eight decades, Vivian Kimm, who has died peacefully aged 93, helped with services at St Peter Mancroft.

Born in Norwich, he became a server at the church at the age of eight and was to remain in post for more than 80 years.

His wife, Trudy, was the first woman to serve on a regular basis and the couple completed more than 145 years' service to the church.

Mr Kimm went to the St Peter Mancroft day school, where later part of the building was occupied by a mosque in Chapelfield.

He went to CNS (City of Norwich School) and gained an apprenticeship at Laurence Scott & Electromotors, where he qualified as an electrical engineer.

He did miss a period of service because of his war work, but maintained his links with the church as sidesman and deputy warden.

He remembered fire-watching duties from the tower of St Peter Mancroft.

In an interview with the EDP in 1994, the then head server recalled that, during the war, Evensong had to be held during the afternoon because of the blackout.

'For the early-morning communion services, when it was dark, subdued blue lights were strung through the church leading to a room below the high altar where there were small windows that could be blacked out,' he said.

Mr and Mrs Kimm recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Mr Kimm was a keen photographer, collected stamps and was a great supporter of the scout movement, serving as scout master of the troop at the church.

A funeral service was held at St Peter Mancroft Church on Monday, November 22.